Boats damaged at Jubilee Quay

Boat owners at Fleetwood’s Jubilee Quay are calling for increased police patrols after their vessels were damaged in a spate of burglaries.

One boat owner, Wayne Holland, said his pleasure boat Anturus could have been sunk after a heavy scaffolding section was thrown down from the top of the quay, and was only saved by a heavy cover.

Wayne Holland and his son (left) with John Worthington and Barry Harvey are concerned about damage to their boats on Jubilee Quay, Fleetwood.

Another vessel owner, Barry Harvey, said one of his windows was smashed and a gas bottle stolen.

Fisherman John Worthington also had a window smashed and a door damaged on his charter fishing boat, Equaliser, on the same night.

And even a yacht stranded on Tiger’s Tail was broken into.

The men say the incidents are not the first and they want to see more police patrols, as well as improved lighting and use of CCTV cameras to catch the culprits in the act.

The latest case, believed to have occurred late on Tuesday night last week, is similar to another which occurred at the quay, a separate part of the main docks where less than a dozen boats are based, when three boats were sunk last July.

Mr Harvey, 56, of Forshaw Close, Fleetwood, said: “We have had to put fencing up to try and stop people targeting the boats but somehow they still got in. I take my boat out just as a hobby but it is a real problem trying to keep it safe.

“Some of us have even taking to mount late night patrols but we shouldn’t have to do it.”

Mr Worthington, 51, of Beach Road, said: “I use my boat to try and make a living by taking out anglers, when I’m not fishing for a living.

“Any damage to the boat will affect my livelihood.”

And Mr Holland, 37, of Birkbeck Place, said: “I like to take my four sons out on my boat, it’s a bit of a treat for them.

“When that scaffolding tube was thrown down, it would have pout a hole in the boat if it hadn’t been for the heavy duty covers.

“That would have been the end of it, because I can’t afford another one.

“This is a real problem for us and we are hoping the police can up the number of their patrols.

“We could also do with better lighting and for the dock owners, Associated British ports, to operate the CCTV camera which is just across from the quay.”

PC Emma McClaren, of Fleetwood Police, said: “We have had a report from Mr Worthington about the crime affecting his boat.

“He has asked us if we can mount extra patrols and we will be looking at this area more closely now that the warmer weather is coming in.

“There have been a number of problems with youths in this part of town for a number of years and we are aware of the concerns.”

PC McClaren added that the CCTV across the quay was not of sufficient quality for help with the inquiries.